Major FAQ

Country Overview

Vietnam offers an opportunity to see a country of traditional charm and rare beauty rapidly opening up to the outside world. This thriving nation possesses one of the world's fastest-growing economies, yet it is home to some of Asia 's most beautiful scenery. Divine beaches dot the coast, while inland the soaring mountains are often cloaked by dense, misty forests. Mirroring the country as a whole, the Vietnamese people are hard working and industrious, and at the same time strikingly friendly and optimistic.

Ho Chi Minh City is the heart and soul of Vietnam . It's a bustling, dynamic and industrious centre, the largest city in the country, the economic capital, and the cultural trendsetter. Yet within the teeming metropolis are the timeless traditions and beauty of an ancient culture.

This is a city that churns, ferments, bubbles and fumes. The streets, where much of the city's life takes place, are a jumble of markets, shops, pavement cafes, stands-on-wheels and vendors selling wares spread out on sidewalks. It's impossible not to be infected by its exhilarating vibe: its vibrant, wildly energetic combination of native heritage, French cultural influence, and Western capitalism. Still referred to as "Saigon" today, HCM City is the hub of financial activity and is the largest and most developed city in Vietnam . There you will witness a mix of the old and new where modern skyscrapers are juxtaposed with fading colonial buildings, Chinese-style pagodas, and historical landmarks such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Post Office and the Reunification Hall.

Ho Chi Minh City has a vibrant nightlife with many local and Western bars and cafes concentrated in the city center. The city is also the culinary capital of Vietnam . You can sample a variety of foods ranging from Vietnamese regional specialties to international cuisine. The best Vietnamese, French, and Chinese restaurants in Vietnam are found in HCM City .

Food & Clothing

Vietnamese cuisine differs strikingly between the north, south, and central regions, but two key features stand out.

First, rice plays an essential role in the nation's diet as it does throughout Southeast Asia . But this is also a noodle-crazy population, regularly downing them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in homes, restaurants and at roadside stands. Noodles are eaten wet and dry, in soup or beside soup, and are made in different shapes and thicknesses.

Second, no meal is complete without fresh vegetables and herbs. A key portion of every meal, north, south and central, is a platter containing cucumbers, bean threads, slices of hot pepper, and sprigs of basil, coriander, mint and a number of Southeast Asian herbs. A typical meal ranges $2-4 US dollars.

Vietnamese food is always fresh: ingredients are purchased from the market the same morning. The abundant fresh fish, lobster, crabs, and cuttlefish will leave seafood fans dreading the return home. Expect to try “pho”, a type of rice noodle soup eaten for breakfast; “cha gio” (“nem”), deep-fried spring rolls; and “goi ngo sen”, a delicious salad made with lotus stems, shrimp, and peanuts.

Ho Chi Minh City also has a wide array of Western cuisine. Although they tend to be a bit more expensive, it's not difficult to find French, Italian, German and American restaurants. There are also a bevy of Thai, Indian and Chinese dining establishments. Chopsticks are standard, especially with noodles or rice. Western utensils are nearly always available, however, and are commonly provided with international fare.

Participants are responsible for their own meals.

Light, comfortable, easy to launder clothing in natural fabrics such as cotton suits Vietnam . Good walking shoes and sandals that can be easily slipped off are recommended, as shoes are removed when entering temples and homes. No need to over pack, as high-quality clothes are strikingly cheap, while inexpensive laundry service is generally available wherever you go.

Vietnamese people are quite conscientious of their dress. The nationwide stress on maintaining a neat and clean appearance creates a marked disparity with some Western visitors. For instance, Vietnamese would never dream of wearing dirty clothes while traveling, and visible tattoos and piercings are frowned upon.

Dress codes while teaching range from Western “Business Casual” to “Sport Casual” (track pants and short-sleeved shirts) to “Traditional,” which could include a locally handmade, ornately decorated silk shirt that is somehow more comfortable in the heat than anything else you own.

When working, Teachers are expected to adhere to the local working culture and ideas of professionalism. “Casually smart” attire means that women should cover their shoulders (sleeveless shirts are acceptable, but very thin straps or tank tops are not). No low-cut necklines or very short skirts. Bare midriffs must not be visible, even when lifting arms up. Open-toed shoes are acceptable.

Men should wear long pants (not jeans), short- or long-sleeved shirt with a collar (possibly with a tie), and loafers or dress shoes. Sandals and tennis shoes are not acceptable when teaching. Long hair should be neatly tied into a ponytail.

Housing & Communication

During training, participants stay in private rooms in small boutique hotels very close to the Training Center. Rooms typically have air-conditioning, a private bath, and are clean and nicely furnished.

Housing will be provided for an additional week following training, after which time you should have secured a job, and you will be responsible for paying for your housing. If you have not secured a job in the primary service area by this time, and are seriously pursuing all job leads, housing may be continued.

Once your job assignment is secured, the hiring school will assist you in locating a local apartment near the hiring school. Typical apartments are small, but most are comfortable and stylish, with air conditioning and Western appliances. Houses usually have 3-4 bedrooms that you can share with roommates. Often, a one month security deposit and the first month's rent is required at the time of rental. Teachers are provided with a cell phone, including a SIM chip for Vietnamese and international calling, and initial pre-paid phone minutes.

You will be given access to the Internet at the Training Center during training. Most select schools have internet access available to teachers during school hours. Public internet cafes are also available. They usually charge about US$1.00 per hour.